Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 39: The next book has been found!

Jiang Lanye remained silent, turned to look at the stunned Su Meiren, and asked, "Did you see that?"

Su Meiren suddenly felt her cheeks burning, belatedly realizing that a barrier had already been erected between Song Yi and Jiang Lanye. Even though she had the same appearance as Consort Yun, it was not enough to make Jiang Lanye pay more attention to her.

Su Meiren said blankly, "I saw it."

Jiang Lanye withdrew his gaze and said, "Since that's the case, why don't you get lost?"

Su Meiren's eyes instantly reddened. Before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at Song Yi, then hurriedly left in a disheveled state.

Song Yi couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Consort Su looks exactly like her, why don't you want her to stay?"

Jiang Lanye said calmly, "It's just that the form is similar, but the spirit is not."

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that when Jiang Lanye said those words, a faint sadness enveloped him, like rain falling on him, making it hard to breathe.

Jiang Lanye kept her in the Golden Palace because of her "similar appearance"?
Song Yi said, "Your Majesty, please go and review the memorials. The bed will be warm soon."

Jiang Lanye glanced at her, then suddenly called in Eunuch Cao.

Eunuch Cao walked in carrying a freshly filled hot water bottle and handed it to Jiang Lanye.

Jiang Lanye took the hot water bottle, feeling its warmth, and said stiffly, "This is for warming your feet."

Song Yi's eyes lit up.

After three years apart, Jiang Lanye has truly come to his senses.

Even if she were to freeze to death in the Golden Palace, Jiang Lanye wouldn't have thought to put a coat on her.

Song Yi quickly and happily accepted it, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Then, the blanket shifted, and she tucked the hot water bottle to her feet, closing her eyes contentedly like a lazy cat.

After Jiang Lan finished reviewing the memorials, she lay down next to Song Yi.

As darkness fell over the hall, he suddenly said, "Take off your veil."

Song Yi froze. "Why?"

“It’s very dark inside the palace now. Even if you take it off, I won’t be able to see the scar on your face. You don’t need to feel inferior.”

Song Yi remained silent for a moment, then hesitantly removed her veil.

For some reason, without the veil covering her face, she felt as if her true identity had been completely exposed to Jiang Lanye, and she was extremely nervous no matter what.

Jiang Lanye suddenly turned around and lay on his side looking at her face.

Song Yi didn't dare to move an inch.

"Have I ever told you that you and she look so alike, so alike that even now, I still suspect that you are her?"

Song Yi mustered her courage and asked, "If, if I were truly the Noble Consort, lying right beside Your Majesty at this very moment, what would Your Majesty do?"

Jiang Lanye stared intently at her profile, even though he couldn't see her face clearly, he still stared at her greedily.

"We will lock you up, or tie you to the dragon bed, so that you can never get out or escape, and you will receive the punishment you deserve."

Song Yi silently curled up.

"Your Majesty, you always say such things. If the Imperial Concubine knew, she would certainly not dare to come back."

Jiang Lanye couldn't help but sneer, "If she could hear me, I'm afraid I would say even more terrible and cruel things."

"Hasn't Your Majesty considered that perhaps the Imperial Concubine had some reason for leaving?"

Jiang Lanye's gaze gradually turned cold. "I am not a fool."

Song Yi:
Well, she knew she couldn't fool Jiang Lanye.

"But I am not a Noble Consort, so what use is it for Your Majesty to have me stay by your side?"

"Your only purpose is to stop me from having nightmares." Song Yi held back his words and remained silent.

After a long while, Jiang Lanye raised his hand and touched her warm cheek, murmuring, "You have such a cruel heart."

Feeling guilty, Song Yi turned around and mumbled, "This concubine is sleepy, Your Majesty, please go to sleep."

Her slender back was turned to Jiang Lanye. After watching her for a while, Jiang Lanye leaned in, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace. His warm breath sprayed onto the exposed part of her neck as he said in a deep voice, "Sleep."

Jiang Lanye had developed this habit at some point, as if he couldn't fall asleep without holding her.

Song Yi felt a complex mix of emotions as she listened to the heartbeat of the person behind her.

Jiang Lanye's obsession was too heavy, so heavy that she dared not reveal her identity at all.

At that time, I'm afraid she will be trapped until she dies, and will only be able to stay by his side until the end, like a caged bird, never able to get freedom for the rest of her life.

She absolutely has to leave; she doesn't want to stay here.
She woke up early and quietly put on her veil.

With this in mind, Song Yi worked even harder to find the books when it was broad daylight the next day.

She picked and chose many books, flipping through them until she found the last shelf at the very back. Her neck ached from craning her neck, but in that instant, her eyes were practically glued to them.

She finally found it!

In a moment of desperation, Song Yi ignored the slight pain in her knees, moved a stool over, and before Jiang Lanye returned, took the book down and eagerly sat down to read it.

Her hands were shaking.

After looking at it for a long time, she closed the book.

She had memorized all the contents and put the book back in its original place.

After walking out quickly, she encountered a dilemma.

The book says that you also need to prepare a jade pendant with a dragon pattern, and smash the pendant the moment the moon appears from behind the clouds. Only then is the task completely completed.

But how could a mere palace maid like her possibly obtain a dragon-patterned jade pendant?
When it comes to jade pendants, the first one that comes to mind is the one that Jiang Lanye always wears on his waist.

But he treasured that jade pendant very much. He had learned about it three years ago. He always kept the jade pendant with him and no one was allowed to take it away without permission.

Just as he was secretly worrying, Lady Su arrived first.

As soon as she entered, she was surprised to find that Song Yi was still in the Golden Palace. She raised her chin and said, "Lady Song."

Song Yi was preoccupied with the jade pendant, and when she saw her arrive, she bowed absentmindedly.

"I have met Consort Su."

Her indifferent attitude made Su Meiren somewhat unhappy.

Why are you still in the Golden Palace?

"By the way, as you already know, I was recommended to the palace by the Empress Dowager. From now on, I will be the one to serve His Majesty. You won't be needed anymore."

Song Yi looked up at her after hearing what she said, her gaze complicated.

That's fine.
If such a similar double were left here, perhaps Jiang Lanye wouldn't be so distressed.

Song Yi said softly, "Alright, I hope you can take good care of His Majesty."

Su Meiren was clearly surprised by Song Yi's words and did not receive the provocation she wanted. She just stood there dumbfounded.

"What are you doing?"

Jiang Lanye's cold voice came from outside the palace.

The two turned and bowed together, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Song Yi's gaze immediately fell on the jade pendant at his waist.

(End of this chapter)